Error Message: Dock / Undock Failed (291797)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q291797

SYMPTOMS

If you attempt to use the hot undocking procedure on your laptop computer (press EJECT on the dock; or click Start, and then click Eject PC), you may receive the following error message:
Dock / Undock Failed.

Windows could not change the configuration because Windows could not remove or disable a device. To undock your laptop computer, shut down Windows, and then undock your computer.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a device in the laptop computer itself (and not in the dock) does not have the Exists in all hardware profiles option enabled in Device Manager. For example, this behavior can occur if the integrated device electronics (IDE) controller in the laptop computer does not have the Exists in all hardware profiles option enabled.

In this configuration, Windows attempts to remove the device to process the dock request. However, if the device performs a critical function (such as, the hard disk controller to which the disk containing the swap file is attached), the dock change request is blocked and the preceding error message is displayed.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, locate a device that exists in all hardware profiles (that is, the device is not removed during the docking or undocking procedure), and then click to select the Exists in all hardware profiles check box to enable it:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click System, and then click the Device Manager tab.
  3. Click the device you want (expand the tree view to locate the device), and then click Properties.
  4. In the Device Usage section, click to select the Exists in all hardware profiles check box to enable it, and then click OK.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for any additional devices.
  6. Click Close. A message may be displayed for you to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/14/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbHardware kbinfo KB291797
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.